Ask questions to The Digital Bits team (Bill Hunt, Jeff Kleist et.al.)

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by wallendo

Bill or Jeff -
What is your take on this article:
http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=24769




Are these restorations of the originals, and does it suggest that blu-ray versions may be around the corner?

I for one was bummed when Animal House was reissued last year without a blu-ray version (even though Universal had gone blu by that point).

Id love to see Universal re-release the Thing as well as the sequel that John Carpenter was planning.

[HeavyHitter]

Yes, I too would love to see a remastered The Thing.

[Q?]

Do you guys know the work of Lars Von Trier?
Would you by any chance know if Dogville and Manderlay will be released?
I'm a big fan of Trier's and I certainly hope that his latest movie Antichrist also will immediately released on blu-ray.
Thanks.

[aramis109]

Bill or Jeff-

Any word on "Inside Man"? There's definitely an error, and I've seen one person saying that it'll be fixed and possibly delayed. Can you potentially confirm or deny?

Originally Posted by aramis109

Bill and Jeff-

Any word from Universal or confirmation of the supposed audio error on the new "Inside Man" release as discussed here? It seems that the last 1/4 of the film is missing one of the surround channels in the lossless mix.

Would like to know if this was something folks were aware of, if there are any changes or replacements planned, and if it's truly affecting all discs or just the review copies folks were sent.

[Jeff Kleist]

It's been passed upstairs to Uni, these things take time. They have to have someone go look at it, report back, then a plan of action.

I'm sure they'll decide, at least internally what to do before street

Personally I'm suprised they're putting it out now, with Inside Man 2 coming out next year

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Personally I'm suprised they're putting it out now, with Inside Man 2 coming out next year

I really hope that title is just a placeholder. Anything ending in a number seems a little beneath Spike, Girl 6 notwithstanding.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

It's been passed upstairs to Uni, these things take time. They have to have someone go look at it, report back, then a plan of action.

I'm sure they'll decide, at least internally what to do before street

Personally I'm suprised they're putting it out now, with Inside Man 2 coming out next year

Cool, thanks. I know one person reported back that Universal was going to fix it and possibly push back the release. I was honestly surprised and a little skeptical that they'd officially go that route so quickly.

I love Inside Man, but Inside Man 2? Hrm... dunno about that. Guess I'll reserve my judgement on it until I see more.

[HeavyHitter]

Hey Bill,

As always I appreciate your honesty. I just read your updated comments about T2 and how the Skynet version really does seem superior to the original. However, and I realize this is just one frame of the movie and how tricky screenshots can be, but I can clearly see more detail if I A/B/C compare the close-ups of Linda Hamilton with the sunglasses on. Take a look at her facial detail and tank top straps. The original release and the Geneon Entertainment (Japan SE) seem a bit better. I would be curious how these compare in motion - maybe you can check this scene out in your system if you get the chance.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDRe...et_blu-ray.htm

[Grubert]

Originally Posted by Q!

Do you guys know the work of Lars Von Trier?
Would you by any chance know if Dogville and Manderlay will be released?

I'd be all over a BD release of Europa/Zentropa, Breaking the Waves and Dancer in the Dark (yeah, even though the musical scenes are shot with SD cameras).

I'm a big fan of Trier's and I certainly hope that his latest movie Antichrist also will immediately released on blu-ray.
Thanks.

I'm a big Von Trier fan and completist, but I'm decidedly staying away from this torture-porn abomination.

[davcole]

Originally Posted by wallendo

Bill or Jeff -
What is your take on this article:
http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=24769




Are these restorations of the originals, and does it suggest that blu-ray versions may be around the corner?

I for one was bummed when Animal House was reissued last year without a blu-ray version (even though Universal had gone blu by that point).

Wow, very interesting!!

I'd love to catch SPARTACUS and BLUES BROTHERS theatrically again in a digital theater.

Even if there is no immediate plans for a BD, it's still good news if they have a digital release worthy of a theatrical showing.

[Doctorossi]

I'll be extremely curious to see what kind of traction these get. It's too bad little revival houses will probably be the last to get digital equipment. This kind of program could be a real boon to all parties.

[varmintx]

Originally Posted by Grubert

I'm a big Von Trier fan and completist, but I'm decidedly staying away from this torture-porn abomination.

That is a rather extreme over-simplification.

[Q?]

Originally Posted by Grubert

I'd be all over a BD release of Europa/Zentropa, Breaking the Waves and Dancer in the Dark (yeah, even though the musical scenes are shot with SD cameras).



I'm a big Von Trier fan and completist, but I'm decidedly staying away from this torture-porn abomination.

I don't blame you, however, I'm young and the only thing that has pushed
me over the "edge" in terms of grotesque storytelling is Passion of the Christ and Irreversible.
Two very horrifying movies in their own right and Irreversible is definitely a movie I'd never recommend to anybody.
Sometimes I need my horizons expanded, it might as well be in von Trier's
hands. Also I want to see what all the fuss is about, Trier seems to be the show stealer in Cannes.
Anyways, anything Trier for that matter would be excellent on blu.

[Beast]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

Hey Bill,

As always I appreciate your honesty. I just read your updated comments about T2 and how the Skynet version really does seem superior to the original. However, and I realize this is just one frame of the movie and how tricky screenshots can be, but I can clearly see more detail if I A/B/C compare the close-ups of Linda Hamilton with the sunglasses on. Take a look at her facial detail and tank top straps. The original release and the Geneon Entertainment (Japan SE) seem a bit better. I would be curious how these compare in motion - maybe you can check this scene out in your system if you get the chance.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDRe...et_blu-ray.htm

What you're seeing is increased video noise, some caused from someone cranking up the sharpness.

[Jeff Kleist]

Blues Brothers/Animal House etc are almost certainly doing a Fathom Events (satellite multicast "one night only") style thing, and not getting a reperatory tour

[Bobby Henderson]

I don't know if Bill Hunt is around, but I enjoyed reading his editorials about grain reduction on Blu-ray over the past couple or so days at The Digital Bits' website.

One minor detail to point out regarding 300 (an example used in the editorial), that movie was actually shot on film in the Super 35 process. However, the backgrounds and the artificial grain were added digitally.

[SquidPuppet]

A Bug's Life from Amazon does not contain the movie cash as it does when purchased from a B&M. 24 season 7 and Bug's are being found at multiple B&M's for equal or LESS than Amazon. Whats up with Amazon?

[Jeff Kleist]

We have no control over Amazon's pricing, you should ask them

Fry's is the only one beating their prices to my knowlege on at least 24, and they're known for crazy deals

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

We have no control over Amazon's pricing, you should ask them

Fry's is the only one beating their prices to my knowlege on at least 24, and they're known for crazy deals

I know. Sorry...I was just kinda thinking out loud. Just seems weird that they are becoming less and less competetive. It does puzzle me about the movie cash though. And Costco is CRUSHING them on some older catalog titles. I used to feel pretty confident that buying from Amazon was ensuring the best (or a tie) deal, now it's becoming worth the effort to shop around.

[Braktastic]

Originally Posted by Beast

What you're seeing is increased video noise, some caused from someone cranking up the sharpness.

While I don't agree with that conclusion at all, I will say that since it is doubtful we will ever get a straight or definitive answer regarding the differences between a title's transfers a person should ultimately purchase what looks best to them. That said, I'll be buying the Japanese Premium Edition of T2.